Dancer's Collar

50.31.95

About this object

Collar for a black hat dancer's robe, in beautiful, high quality Tibetan-style brocade silk. The collar is cut in a diamond shape with scalloped edges, the edges bound with a faded orange brocade with gold threads. The outer border is in a heavily patterned green brocade with additional gold threads and the centre is of an orange-coloured silk with similar patterning. The opening is simply created with a circle and additional slit in the centre. The back is lined with a fine navy blue silk. There is a mark in orange pencil to the back of the neck which in Tibetan appears to note '40', this is possibly an inventory number for the treasury the collar was taken from.

List of Curios No 264:A suit and hat worn by "Black Hat" (Ngak-pa) Lamas. These Lamas have among other powers that of preventing hail and sometimes of bringing rain. This dress and hat came from the Potala and were presented to me by the Tibetan Government (Per Lonchen Shatra on 28th July 1913.

Curator's note: This group of textiles was given to Bell during his annual inspection tour of southern Tibet. He was staying in Gyantse and the Khambu valley and records having 'three lengthy conversations with the Prime Minister on the political position in Tibet ', during this period. The hat that completes the set was given to the British Museum by Bell in 1933 (1933.0508.57).

Where is this object from?

Explore related

Publications

Author: Bell, Charles AlfredPublisher:Date:Description: A typed object catalogue from Bell's handwritten notes on a wide variety of objects from his personal collection. This information often contains, the date he obtained an object, its provenance (including where and who he acquired from) and the person responsible for giving him the information. The process of writing the inventory began in December 1912 and continued until the late 1930s.

Author: Tankard, ElainePublisher: Liverpool Public MuseumsDate: 1953-03Description: Introductory essay and catalogue entries, in themes, for the 1953 exhibition; 'Tibet', held at the Walker Art Gallery.